Bouchees Bistro Review - Long Beach

Are you craving sliders? This is an awesome place for sliders. Forget Burger King!
Bouchees Bistro is a fun restaurant that makes delicious sliders. As I was writing this entry, I was thinking that I needed to visit this place again for some tummy satisfaction. But, I just called them and apparently, they are moving to Pine and Broadway in Long Beach (a few blocks away) and will REOPEN in 2-3 WEEKS. The current location is turning into a taco place! Anyways, if you are tempted to try their sliders after reading this entry, do not fret! only a few weeks to wait...

The great thing about this place is that you can design your own slider. They have 4 base meats (angus sirloin beef - $3, turkey tenderloin $3, ahi tuna $4, and organic veggie $3). Then they often have a special - the last time I was there I had wild boar. For $3, you make a slider with a base meat, then you can add up to 4 toppings (lettuce, sliced red onion, carmelized onion, fresh tomato slices, oven roasted tomato, jalapeno salsa, garlic pickes, roasted red bell peppers) and a sauce (peppercorn dijonnaise, lemon caper aioli, spicy chili garlic sauce, homemade ketchup, buttermilk ranch, mayo, smoked jalapeno sauce, djon mustard, mesquite barbecue). If you want to add cheese, you can pay 50 cents (cheddar, pepperjac, gruyere, american, roquefort, feta, smoked gouda) or add premium toppings for 50 cents (avocado, bacon, shitake mushrooms). I usually order 2-3 sliders and am satisfied.

The angus sirloin and the wild boar burger meat are sooo delicious and flavorful and juicy. Its served on a toasted sesame bun loaded with all the fun toppings you choose. I have loved every combination that I've created. Bouchees also has pre-designed burgers for the decision-challenged. haha. They are definitely famous for their garlic sauce so try at least one burger with that sauce. Then, order a side of their crispy savory parmesan and herb french fries (sweet potatoes). Ugggh sooo goooood. Finish it off with an ice cold glass of coke. Happiness.

Location: WILL BE MOVING TO NEW ADDRESS in LONG BEACH
Website: http://www.bouchees.com/index.html

The Curry House Review

After church one day, my friend Janice brought me to the Curry House in Cypress. The Curry House is a chain of restaurants throughout California, which offers Japanese style curries and spaghetties (interesting-has anyone tried the spaghetties?). She recommended the Iced Green Tea to go along with the meal, which I fell in love with. So one afternoon when I was craving their Iced Green Tea, I grabbed my hubbie and brought him there for a quick lunch. I ordered the Tofu and Ground Chicken Curry ($10.85) that came with a Green Salad and garlic spinach rice, as well as the Iced Green Tea of course.

I enjoyed my dish -- its not the classic Asian curry that my mom used to make from the curry cubes you buy in the supermarket. It actually had some acidity to the dish (which i believe is from lemon juice), a very mildly spicy undertone, and a subtle curry flavor. It tastes great with the garlic spinach rice--which I'm going to attempt to cook some day. I'll let you know how that goes. I love the salad dressing, which apparently you can buy from the restaurant. My husband ordered the extra spicy Chicken and Ginger Curry ($11.05), which he happily scarfed down. I tried a few bites and enjoyed the flavor as well. Probably a bit too spicy for me (I have a low spicy threshold-I must be an Asian mutant!) but it tasted like a nice cross between Asian curry and Indian curry. Maybe I'll try that next time, but only if they can knock down the spice level a couple notches for me....

Now, I had convinced my husband how great the Iced Green Tea ($2.50) was...but, alas, he sadly disagreed. Hehe. He's kind of an iced tea purist. I, on the other hand, am not. Ok ok, so I know that the Iced Green Tea is from a powder... (I asked the first time I was there, since I thought it was a bit unusual in consistency and rather turbid in color for a pure tea as you can see from the photo). But something about the flavor is pleasing to my palate. Its sliiightly thicker than a normal iced tea drink. Its mildly sweet but not too sweet. So, when I tried to explain to my husband why I liked it so much, I realized that it is because it reminds me of... green tea ice cream. Granted it is not creamy like green tea ice cream, but, it is somewhat reminiscent of the flavor in a drink form. 

Rating:

Price of food: Moderately priced (average dish about 11 dollars)

Quality of food: 3.5 stars for the price of food (nothing fabulous but worth an occasional visit in my mind for more of that weirdly addictive Iced Green Tea)

Service: Excellent

Environment: Comfortable, clean

Would I go back?: Yes

Recommended?: Not mind blowing food, but worth a try if you're in the mood for some Asian curry...with what? ahh yes...the iced green tea.

Location:

The Curry House

Meridian Plaza

10953 Meridian Dr.

Cypress, CA

http://www.house-foods.com/CurryHouse

Portfolio Coffeehouse Review

Yesterday, my husband and I ventured down to Portfolio Coffeehouse to be studious. Portfolio is a highly rated and regarded coffeehouse in the Long Beach area. We went at a perfect time for studying - moderate amount of people that were all there to do the same thing - work on their computers or to study. The other great thing was the soft music, or was there any music? :) 

I've tried their Iced Chai once. I watched them make it and I realized, I can do that for so much less than 4 dollars! Yikes! (I'll share that easy one in another post). So I figured, the next time I go, I'll purchase something that is at least a little more difficult for me to make at home. I decided to try their Iced Passion Fruit Tea with a few pumps of mango syrup. My husband went with their Illy-brand coffee. Both of us were satisfied with our drinks. I'll have to say though, the caffeine level in those drinks must be crazy because I felt my mind becoming a little hazy from the caffeine (my husband as well!). Maybe its not related to the drink though. haha. After drinking his coffee, he decided to try an iced tea as well, which looked disturbingly turbid, unlike mine. Hmm.....

I also tried a slice of Boston Creme pie, based on a recommendation from a past colleague. I was a little full from lunch, so I admit that I didn't finish it. It was good though. Not the most delicious piece of cake ever, but a nice departure from typical Starbuck snacks. It was a basic 2 layer vanilla cake with a chocolate mousse-like substance and creme (which was kind of like a vanilla pudding) in the middle. 

Portfolio seems to be a great place to go if you want a break from reading at Starbucks or Barnes and Nobles. Although, if you're planning to go study, don't go there on a Wednesday since there's open mic night. 

Next thing to try--a Cappuccino....

Oh, and one more important thing, there's FREE WIFI! Yay!

Friends, let me know if you ever want to go read there! Always love study buddies! :)

Ratings:

Drinks: 4.5 stars (Iced tea, Iced chai) 

Environment: Excellent

Would I go back?: Absolutely!

Still awaiting a trial of their cappuccino, other desserts, and one of their paninis.....

Comments: WiFi!!

 

Location:

Portfolio Coffeehouse

2300 E 4th St.

Long Beach, CA

www.portfoliocoffeehouse.com

Charo's Peruvian Cuisine Review

Yesterday, we decided to go to Charo's Peruvian Cuisine with my sister-in-law and her husband, located in the Long Beach Towne Center. It was their first time visiting the restaurant, but I've been there twice and have loved it every time. 

Since I tend to be a creature of habit and crave particular dishes, I ordered the Saltado de Pollo, which has chicken, tomatoes, grilled onions, fries, and cilantro with a side of rice. This is a solid dish that is full of flavor and perfectly done every time. What's not to love about that combination, especially when fries are involved?!

I love using their green sauce -- which I haven't had a chance to ask what its made of...but its this cold/airy-like textured sauce that is similar in color to wasabi. In fact, it has quite a spicy kick to it like wasabi as well as a cilantro favor to it. Honestly, i don't know what is in it, but it nicely contrasts the saltiness of the dish and a must-have in my mind when eating the dish. 

My sister-in-law ordered the Arroz con Pollo. It is a dish where the chicken is simmered with onion, garlic, spices, "teamed with cilantro". In fact, the whole dish looked rather green and I would have to say that the star flavor of the dish was the cilantro. I am a big fan of cilantro, so from that one bite, I loved it already. Next time around, I'm going to order that dish and see if I love it as much as the Saltado de Pollo. I'll let you know how it is when I have a whole plate of it. 

My sister-in-law's husband ordered this Spicy Pollo dish--sadly, I cannot remember the real name of it. I had a little sample -- it sort of reminded me of an Asian curry -- but not exactly. He loved his dish...can't comment much more on it...

I've also tried their Col Saltado for lunch about a year ago: Chicken or beef (i had the chicken) with cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro served with rice. It's only 6.95 and comes with soup or salad. I remember feeling a bit hungry after that meal since their was not as much protein as I would have hoped. But the flavor was good. If I was going to suggest Col Saltado versus the Saltado de Pollo--i'll have to vote for Saltado de Pollo though if you love fries...(which I do). 

Maybe one of these days, I'll venture to try another one of their dishes, possibly with beef....Why mess with goodness though? hahah.

New Rating System: (I will rate within each restaurant price category, which will be - Very expensive, Expensive, Moderately priced, Inexpensive)

Price of food: Moderately priced (about 11-15 dollars a dish)

Quality of food: 5 stars for the price of food

Service: Excellent

Environment: Comfortable

Would I go back?: Yes

Recommended?: Yes

Location:

Charo's Peruvian Cuisine

7563 Carson St. Long Beach Towne Center

Long Beach, CA

http://www.charosperuvian.com/